Considering an Excavator

[Doc]

So, I'm in the 'doing my homework' stage.

I rented a JD 35G a couple weeks ago and loved it. But even used it is priced above my price point. 49k for a used one with 600 hours.

So, I'm looking at the smaller options all from branches of Bridgeport Equipment. They rent these and then sell them with low hours.

Lots more there but this gives you an idea of what I'm looking at.
Link to their web site: https://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en...-tool-7783/categories/used-compact_excavators

I'm hoping to get one for a road/trail project to put down drain line on the side with offshoots across the road to handle the water. Then use a skid steer to put some gravel overtop.
After that an a few other little project I could sell the excavator and hopefully not take a big loss. I would prefer to keep it but that will depend on other factors, one being the wife.

The 17G might be able to do the job but I'd sure prefer at least the 26G or the 30G. I believe I can haul any of these with my current trailer which is a big plus.
Hoping for input from anyone who has used any of these or similar models from other manufacturers.

Also hoping for input on other places like Bridgeport Equipment that rents and then sells slightly used excavators.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I'm not sure how big of machine you're looking for but these look to be a nice affordable option for personal use. They have a dealer network in both Canada and the USA.

Excavators - Capital Automotive Equipment

www.capitalautoequipment.com

There's a dealership a few kms from my place selling these. They look like a good option as well.

Mini Excavator | Excavator | SANY Group

SANY is professional Mini Excavator provider, that manufactures high quality Excavator.

www.sanyglobal.com

 

[Doc]

Great sources. Thanks NR.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I bought a used Case CX36B with I think about 800 hours a few years ago for 28K. It had a thumb and three buckets. I´ve been happy with it so far. I need to spend a few hours greasing it this weekend. It could probably use new tracks but I baby it and try to keep it well maintained. It´s been a life saver for a few emergencies like broken well water lines.
I think the important thing is to try to get the lowest hours and then do a good assessment of the engine and mechanicals to so see if it has been abused.

 

[Doc]

I agree low hours. There is a 2015 JD 27D for sale near me for 20k. Looked good but has 4400 hours. No thanks.
As for run hard that's the tough part. I look at cosmetics but otherwise it's hard to tell on these nearly new rentals how hard they have been run. Seems like a crap shoot.

 

[m1west]

 

[m1west]

I picked up this on a couple months back for 9k, Komatsu PC10-5. 2.1 ton all mechanical with steel tracks 2700 hours.
It has a 3 cylinder non turbo diesel, did the maintenance, new battery and rebuilt the blade cylinder and added a mechanical thumb. Now runs and performs great with no leaks and sips the fuel. I have using the crap out of it around here, mostly cutting up downed trees, after the trees, I need to clean out my silted ditches, then rip out some sagebrush clogging one end of the property. Next spring it will go the work cabin and help with clean up and road maintenance. Its an older machine but I'm happy with it and being mechanical, its easy to work on.

 

[Doc]

What a deal. That sounds awesome.

 

[m1west]

Don't get in a hurry, I waited quite a while to get what I was looking for at the right price.

 

[Doc]

Right, no hurry here. I was shooting for finding one by December (I have a CD maturing then and I didn't want to take it out early) but now I've got in contact with an owner who will do the biggest project for me for less than the cost of me renting an excavator, so I might wait till next spring or later.

 

[ZZTop]

So, I'm in the 'doing my homework' stage.

I rented a JD 35G a couple weeks ago and loved it. But even used it is priced above my price point. 49k for a used one with 600 hours.

So, I'm looking at the smaller options all from branches of Bridgeport Equipment. They rent these and then sell them with low hours.

View attachment 181139View attachment 181140View attachment 181141View attachment 181142

Lots more there but this gives you an idea of what I'm looking at.
Link to their web site: https://www.machinefinder.com/ww/en...-tool-7783/categories/used-compact_excavators

I'm hoping to get one for a road/trail project to put down drain line on the side with offshoots across the road to handle the water. Then use a skid steer to put some gravel overtop.
After that an a few other little project I could sell the excavator and hopefully not take a big loss. I would prefer to keep it but that will depend on other factors, one being the wife.

The 17G might be able to do the job but I'd sure prefer at least the 26G or the 30G. I believe I can haul any of these with my current trailer which is a big plus.
Hoping for input from anyone who has used any of these or similar models from other manufacturers.

Also hoping for input on other places like Bridgeport Equipment that rents and then sells slightly used excavators.

Nah just save your money and get a CAT 6090FS

 

[loboloco]

I personally, would go for a medium rather than a mini. Way too easy to find out you didn't buy enough muscle.

 

[300 H and H]

I have been running a Bobcat E35i for the past several days. I kind of like the size of it for personal use. A trailer with 7,500 capacity is
all you need to move it as well.

The stick won't reach quite as far as I like, and you have to reset every 3 or so feet when digging a trench. I have not tried a tree
of any size with it however. Small ones are easy for it to deal with.

Like most machinery there is a learning curve of do's and don'ts that will shorten the total time. If you want backfilling operations
to go smoothly, it is best to drop your spoils right beside the spot the dirt came from. Otherwise, you will find too much on one end
of the cut and not enough on the opposite end.

I have no idea of the cost of this unit. I am using it from a friend who is on vacation this week and brought it here for me to use while he is away.

 

[Doc]

I agree with bigger is usually better. I bought a bigger tractor than I origianlly planned thanks to the timing and suggestion of the owner of the Kubota store. A little more got me a lot more tractor.
However there is a limit as my trails are not that wide. Some rather tight spaces. The JD 35 would work great for me so I suspect so would the bobcat 35.

The JD 50 would also work but that is about the largest I could consider. But my pocket book limits me, I'm not sure I can justify a nearly new 35, let alone a 50. So for now it is wishful thinking and shopping keeping an eye out. No rush.

 

[m1west]

Defiantly watch the size unless you don't plan to move it, I just paid $2800.00 to haul a track loader 300 miles, thats nearly $10.00 a mile.

 

[Loneoutrider]

One consideration is how much/often, how far do you need to move it, and is the terrain conducive to trailering a track hoe? Also are you on one piece of property? A smaller backhoe could be a better option. I have JD110 TLB that I often road two or three miles for projects. In the time it takes to load, tie down, untie, and unload I can usually road the machine to the work site. My other challenge is I only have dirt/gravel road that are not good for a trailer when wet. Bonus feature of roading the machine, there are always little things that need to be done while going to the work site. You won’t stop, unload, do little thing, and reload with the trackhoe.
Have had the JD since 2016 and 800 hrs plus use! Love it!